Member Profile – Maeve Toomey

I joined the Culwick Choral Society last January and I’m really glad I did!

Everyone was so welcoming and helpful and it was obvious that there was a real sense of community in the choir. I felt a bit out of practice musically but the choir members showed me the ropes in a very considerate way. 

I had been a member of the Fleischmann Choir in Cork years before and really enjoyed preforming choral works as part of a large group. It’s fantastic to hear all the other voices and harmonies around you when you’re singing and also for me it’s great to have lots  of backup/other people involved as you would never catch me getting up on a stage by myself!

I was looking for a similar experience in Dublin, a choir that was welcoming, warm and fun but also serious about the presentation and performance level they wanted to get to. I feel I definitely found that with the Culwick.

Last January I saw a post for an open night for the choir. I rang Donal Ahern,  one of the choir’s committee members, who was so helpful. I was able to go along to choir practice that same night which was great. Everyone was lovely and really helped me settle in. As I’m not really able to sight read it was reassuring to know that Donal had prepared practice CDs  and he was also  kind enough to email  me the  music and other tips/supports which was much appreciated. The cost of joining, when broken down weekly, is really good value too, cheaper than most classes one might go to. The secretary of the Choral Society links in with us regularly and it is all very well organised.  After several weeks in the choir I had an audition in order to become a permanent member. I was nervous about it, but Bernie Sherlock the Musical Director of the choir was very supportive throughout it. 

I had a fantastic season with the Culwick Choir which culminated in a performance in the National Concert Hall. An amazing experience made even better by the wonderful professional orchestra that Bernie had brought together for the occasion. It’s brilliant to be part of a choir that performs the big choral works to such a high level. Friends who attended said we sounded like a professional choir! I’m looking forward to our next performance on Culture night and also to our Christmas Concert.

 If you’re looking for a choir that’s serious about the standard they aim for musically but is also friendly and inclusive, the Culwick Choral Society is the one for you. I didn’t realise when joining, but it is also Dublin’s first public choral society, we are now celebrating 121 years and that’s a nice piece of history to be connected with.